Bill Thompson woos Staten Island construction crowd

Former City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Bill Thompson talks with Island businessman Robert Cutrona before Thompson addressed the Building Industry Association, at the groupÃ¢ÂÂs membership meeting at Da Noi Restaurant on Victory Boulevard, Travis.Staten Island Advance/Hilton Flores

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- "Build smarter and build better," Democratic mayoral candidate William Thompson's response to Hurricane Sandy, was music to the ears of Staten Island's building and trades community Tuesday night.

Thompson addressed a meeting of The Building Industry Association of New York City at Da Noi restaurant in Travis.

Small business is the city's growth engine, Thompson told the 70 or so attendees, and if he's elected mayor, he'd strongly support small companies. He pledged the city's help in assisting in development and creating opportunities for discussion.

He contended that corporations have profited under the administration of three-term Mayor Michael Bloomberg while small businesses citywide have been hit with oppressive fines, taxes and fees. He promised to change that state of affairs -- and to revamp the "dysfunctional" Buildings Department.

The former City Comptroller, who fell 5 percentage points short in 2009's contest against Bloomberg, also said he'd increase the number of police officers.

He spoke to a particular Island concern, that water rates, property taxes, even parking fines, have increased so astronomically that folks are fleeing.

"We need to make this city affordable for those who want to live in the city," he said.

Formerly president of the defunct Board of Education, Thompson said he would work to better schools because "71 percent of high school graduates can't function at the college level."

Thompson contended that Bloomberg gives four boroughs short shrift, citing as evidence the mayor's determination to stage the New York City Marathon shortly after Sandy struck.

"[Meanwhile], the people of Staten Island, Brooklyn and the Rockaways were suffering and looking for help," he said.

"New York City needs a mayor that understands that we are five boroughs, not just part of Manhattan," he said to applause.

Thompson lauded two guests, City Councilwoman Debi Rose (D-North Shore) and one of her predecessors in that post, Jerome X. O'Donovan, for their service to the borough. ---Follow @siadvance on Twitter